wetrat0

The airlines have massive amounts of data on the percent of refundable tickets that are ultimately used versus those that are canceled. This data necessarily includes tickets purchased by those trying to get to the gate. They have very sophisticated algorithms to decide how many tickets to sell and when to stop selling tickets based on all of this information at their disposal. One person buying a refundable ticket and then cancelling it is not going to somehow 'ruin' their algorithms-- to the contrary, it's built in.

So, no ethical dilemma here. If you want the flexibility of a refundable ticket, for any reason, go ahead and buy it. The airline can figure out the likelihood that you'll redeem it (and the appropriate price to sell it at given that likelihood).

CJKatl

The airline employee at LGA knew exactly what to do to print the pass. She had obviously granted this request many, many times before. There was another agent standing next to her who was talking with my me and my niece, who also appeared to have no problem with me getting a gate pass. The system allowed her to print the pass. She handed me the pass that clearly had the information printed on it indicating I was not going to board a flight. She marked the pass with pen, circling the part that said it was not a boarding pass. TSA had no problem with the pass. I actually waited for the plane to take off, so the GAs knew I had a gate pass, too. Do you mean to tell me several DL and TSA employees either weren't trained properly or intentionally broke the rules, when they did what DL and TSA employees do every day at every airport across the country?

If your "rule" were true, wouldn't DL warn people on the website? Those bringing unaccompanied minors would have to fill out paperwork 72 hours ahead of time, yet there is no mention on the DL page: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...lone-faqs.html. Or, for that matter, JetBlue or USAirways. What happens when someone brings an unaccompanied minor? Have they been turning those people away, yet it's never been reported on FT, in the news or put on the DL site?

You have asked an airline agent for a gate pass how many times? Zero, if I understand correctly. You contacted someone about someone doing work at the airport, which is a very, very different situation. If the OP needs to send someone to do work at the airport, your information will be helpful. It's irresponsible to make up rules about things you have never done. If you have a specific rule to cite, please post it. Of course, we know that won't happen. There is no rule to cite. It doesn't exist.

It's up to the airlines to issue boarding and gate passes, not the airport. It is TSA's job to screen people, not the airport. Where in the process is there even a place for the airport to interfere or create rules?

twoner32

All tix can be clxd for full refund of you purchase same day. So buy one that day and cancel later. They just void the tix.

us2

There really needs to be a clear policy on gate passes and they should liberally be given out. As far as I'm concerned, meeting a friend airside for lunch should be a good enough reason. The idea that "security" is enhanced by only allowing ticketed passengers past the checkpoint is absurd.

justhere

Of course it matters. I suspect the contractor requirements are because a contractor may have a need to bring items/tools that would not be allowed to be brought in via a normal security check.

People with gate passes are subject to the full monty, so to speak.

Bicostal

The day starts at midnight. The day ends at 11:59. It's a legal definition. But in lay terms, when the ball drops in Times Square its New Years at midnight, not 12:01.

alee0729

As for credentials, I am a non-airline employee, but do all my business airside in airports.

I am badged in 5 (soon to be 7) North American airports. I am very familiar with the policies and procedures to follow the rules to bring contractors and guests airside in each of these airports (short answer, there is no distinction between contractors and guests, other than in some cases they can roam unescorted). And counter agents still have to follow the same rules set by the airport authority -- they don't just get to let anyone in just because they're the airline.

For instance, in MSP, the 24 hour rule applies for both guests of the company, and individuals who want to get airside access to meet-and-greet. In MSP, I need to get their info into the airport with that 24 hour lead time and be present for them to get their gate pass. That's contractor (escorted) and guest access.

For JetBlue, their official position is "A gate pass may be requested and will be issued dependent on the current airport security guidelines." (http://www.jetblue.com/travel/special-needs/) The same procedure applies for me bringing someone airside access as a contractor or someone just for a meet and greet. I take them to the counter, they take my badge number, and they issue my guest a gate pass.

In all cases, the authorizing agent for the gate pass effectively makes their own judgment call on whether they want to put their badge on the line to allow someone airside. For instance, if I sign off for someone to have access airside and they do something stupid, it's my badge to lose. If I am supposed to be physically present to escort and I let them out of my line of sight, and they get challenged, it's my badge to lose.

I have done it all... as a gate-pass holding individual looking to accompany a nervous traveler, as a badged individual escorting contractors with tools that need to be logged, all the way to escorting groups on official business to tour a terminal.

I will be the first to admit the policies I've experienced are inconsistently carried out, but having sat through too many SIDA classes, it is consistently reinforced in the classroom -- if you authorize someone to go airside, you live with the consequences.

Ask yourself, would you authorize a drunk parent to go airside to accompany a minor if only the minor is ticketed? I wouldn't. My badge to lose.

StayingHomeIsBetter

GPM.

us2

Very informative, but there is a distinct difference between the SIDA area of the airport and the public airside part of the airport. The SIDA area includes the ramp and non-public operating areas of the airport and a SIDA badge specifically allows one to bypass security to access those areas as well as the public part of airside. Nobody here is trying to bypass security, they are seeking permission only to access, via security, the public airside area of the airport. I don't think anyone here is risking a SIDA badge by authorizing access to the public airside part of the terminal via the usual method of clearing security.

funflier

My experience has also varied widely at different airports. I recently attempted to schedule a meeting airside at SEA (SC lifetime member leftover from PMNW) and was given totally different stories/instructions from several DL employees. I did manage to get my colleague airside access, but I am certain it would not have happened if I hadn't called ahead and had DL employee names to regurgitate when I was told "it is not possible." (That's actually the iconic KL line, but I love it so much... but I was at first told that there is no such thing as a gate pass (anymore) when I walked into the SC at SEA). At DCA I was flat-out denied, and ended up buying a ticket via the DL app right in front of the ticket counter agent to get my way--which I later cancelled. Also decided it was easier to buy a refundable ticket at BOS recently and cancel same day.

As to the 24 hour cancellation vs. refundable ticket question, who cares what the price of the fare is? Just buy a fully refundable fare and then cancel once airside. If the fare is to be refunded, the price isn't an issue (I guess I assume the buyer isn't dealing with consumer credit issues/credit card fee problems, etc.). Buying a fully refundable fare alleviates the problem--who cares if you "pay" $2000 for a short hop--you're not spending any money.

Finally, before you jump on me, I also agree that TSA could benefit here and charge a fee for those who wish to be screened and enter without buying a ticket. I am the same person the day I buy a "real" ticket and throw everything on the belt and wear my shoes and coat thru precheck as I am the day I want to go airside and meet a colleague without flying. Not having an intention to fly doesn't make me a terrorist. Why not take my money (screening fee) and say bring it on!? Actually, buying a legitimate one way ticket doesn't make me a terrorist either, but somehow people still seem stuck on that as being a bad thing to do...

flyerslc

I've never had a problem getting a gate pass to escort an elderly relative who needed assistance. And certainly not with an unaccompanied minor. Admittedly, I have never been visibly inebriated while doing so, so I can't speak to that hypothetical situation raised in the typically bizarre FT argument above.

matthew64832

I buy one way tickets very often (as I often fly redeyes so I will buy business for the redeye, and coach for the return and hope for upgrade) and never get tagged as suspicious. But I also have GE/PreCheck so that could affect it.

Regarding the other point, I absolutely agree, seems completely silly to deny people access airside simply due to lack of a BP. The ability to buy a BP is available to all and does not in the slightest reduce my chance of being a terrorist (terrorists have money too, presumably). As long as we all go through a full security check, who cares whether we have a ticket or not? I'm sure some analyst somewhere decided that it would stop 1% of attacks and thus it is rule of law.

MSPeconomist

Huh? I would have no problem putting a big ticket charge on my credit card knowing that it's fully refundable. However, taking several hours of my time to go to the airport in erson and paying either short term airport parking or RT taxi fare is not how I prefer to spend my time and money.

puddinhead

For every person who buys a refundable ticket and doesn't use it, causing a few FT members to get their panties in a bunch - the airline IDB's from overbooking but doesn't care and if possible will stiff them on mandated compensation.

Sorry, I don't feel any sympathy or empathy for DL.

CJKatl

Nevermind. Points made better by others.